"The first in a series of disturbances will move into the Northwest Thursday into early Friday.

"With cold air in place, snow is expected even in the lower elevations of northwest Oregon and far southwest Washington through early Friday. This includes Portland, Ore., and Vancouver, Wash., where more than 2 inches of snow is expected. Heavier amounts of up to 8 inches are possible from south and west of Portland to Eugene, Ore. Gusty winds will accompany the snow, leading to poor visibility at times.

"The snow will likely impact both the Thursday afternoon and Friday morning commutes in these locations."

The Oregonian says the storm could bring 6 to 12 inches to the Portland area on Friday in the first storm of the year so far there.

Meanwhile in the Northeast, hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses are still without power after a snow and ice storm.

Reuters reports:

"Pennsylvania was the hardest hit. At one point, 849,000 customers were without power, according to the state's Emergency Management Agency. By 8 a.m. ET, utility crews had gotten that number down to just over 500,000."